Sete - an undiscovered gem!

15 May 2012

Posted by: Diana Cherry

I've been lucky enough to spend a lot of time on the Cote d'Azur, especially around the St Tropez area, and have grown accustomed to the glitz and glamour! So it was a very pleasant change to arrive in Sete on a recent visit to the South of France, and experience first-hand this charming, authentic and very, well… French, town first hand.

Located in the Languedoc -Roussillon area, wedged in between Provence and the Cote d'Azur, this lovely town and its beautiful surrounding beaches and countryside offer all of the advantages that the south of France is known for - the beaches, climate and fabulous food and wine, but with many additional benefits that make it a great choice for families. Not only does the area have a choice of airports, served by some low-cost carriers, but the roads are jam-free and the area easy to navigate - you can hire a car at the airport and easily manage your way around for the duration of your holiday without too many complaints from the back seat!

The many blue-flag beaches are long, wide and sandy, with shallow water perfect for safe swimming and paddling, and I especially loved the beach just outside Sete (where Villa Frankie and Freya are located) which has just had a brand new American-style boardwalk installed along its many kilometres - perfect for cycling and evening strolls. The beach is also littered with great cafes, restaurants and bars, and I enjoyed several lovely evening meals watching the sunset, feasting on delicious - and very fresh - seafood and sampling some of the delicious local rose!

The beaches are within easy reach of Sete town centre and its canals, cafes and restaurants. The fact that Sete is a working port actually adds to its charms - the town has a real 'party' atmosphere in the summer, with lots of events around the town, including music festivals and the famous 'water jousting' - a real spectacle where contestants attempt to knock each other off long platforms extending from boats, and which prompts some seriously fierce local rivalries!

One of the things I most loved about this are is the it offers a great location for a beach holiday - you could easily build sandcastles all day, every day here - but if your group requires slightly more variety, local attractions include safari and theme parks - and this is one of the best areas in France for watersports - so something to keep everyone in the family happy - and I can't wait to visit again soon.

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